The Saudi-led coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri said the accusations would be investigated and explained that the coalition had conducted heavy airstrikes against Houthi militants’ missile launchers. He added that the militants had used civilian buildings including abandoned embassies.

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia took a nosedive after Riyadh executed 47 men including a prominent Shiite cleric on terrorism charges on January 2. Condemning the move, protesters took to the streets in Iran, the biggest Shiite country, and attacked the Saudi embassy. Riyadh in response severed its relations with Tehran.